Our Agency
Meryl Pearlstein, President
Meryl Pearlstein has more than 25 years of marketing and writing experience in travel public relations, product management, advertising, journalism and sales with an expertise in niche travel markets — getaway, luxury, culture, spa, food & wine, golf and family, sports and adventure.
The president and founder of New York City–based MDP Publicity, Meryl personally oversees all clients and develops strategic, results–oriented programs for each. Her passion for travel and her strong foundation in marketing carry over to each plan that she executes. She is a specialist in media relations and in developing customized media tours, media receptions and showcases. She has been intimately involved in travel PR for the past 15 years heading new business development and media strategy programs.
Meryl has launched and developed public relations campaigns for many luxury resorts and hotels, restaurants, golf facilities, and spas, among them: The Ritz–Carlton New York, Central Park; Atelier Restaurant at the Ritz–Carlton; The Ritz–Carlton New York, Battery Park; Grace Bay Club (Turks & Caicos); the La Prairie Spa at the Ritz–Carlton; Relais & Châteaux' Triple Creek Ranch, Kingsbrae Arms and Hastings House; The Winnetu (Martha's Vineyard); Sofitel Hotels International; Tabacón Grand Spa Thermal Resort; La Casa Que Canta (Mexico); The Gleneagles Golf Course at The Equinox; and The Spa at the Broadmoor. For a list of clients please click here.
Other public relations experience includes destination PR for Finland, Bavaria, Munich, the Kingdom of Navarra (Spain), Louisiana, Ponte Vedra and St. Augustine - Florida's Historic Coast, and Munich Airport; tour operators including The Wayfarers' walking/hiking vacations, Italiaoutdoors and Memorable Costa Rica; barging/cruising with French Country Waterways; architects; entertainment entities; hospitality design and real estate firms; and a fashion designer.
Meryl is very active in the Society of American Travel Writers (SATW), and has served on the Executive Board of the Associates Council as well as on numerous committees. She was a committee chair for SATW’s recent conventions in Las Vegas, Chile and St. Moritz, heading up media marketplace, registration, and tours & activities for attendees. Meryl is frequently quoted in the media as an expert on family travel and destination travel.
Meryl's marketing career began in product management and sales at Kraft General Foods, followed by 12 years at several of the advertising industry's largest global agencies including Ogilvy & Mather, BBDO and Lintas. Her love of writing and travel led her to travel PR, working on a variety of international and domestic accounts for KWE Associates and NJFPR in New York City. Meryl founded MDP Publicity in 2003.
Meryl understands the needs of a journalist from a very personal level as well. A travel and lifestyle writer with articles in New York Magazine, Northshore Magazine, Global Traveler, GQ, Boston Herald, Fortune Small Business online, Hotel & Motel Management and PR Tactics, Meryl has recently moved to the active online and guidebook world as a travel specialist for Fodor's Guide to New York City, Gayot.com, Crain’s 5boros, The Daily Meal, SoGoNow.com and AllNY.com. She is the author of, Fodor's Family: New York City with Kids and writes a lively blog, Travel and Food Notes. Meryl is multi–lingual with knowledge of French, Spanish, Italian, and other languages. She graduated magna cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa from Brown University, received an MBA in marketing and market research from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, and the Annenberg School of Communication. Meryl is a Joseph Wharton Dinner Trustee and has taught Spanish pro bono to middle schoolers in New York City.
